All counties are invited to join CCI’s Public Lands 2023 Dues and Budget Meeting. This is an annual meeting whereby counties that are in good standing on their public lands assessments review and vote on the proposed budget and dues for 2023.   You will see that there is little change between the 2022 and 2023’s budget and dues in the spreadsheets (this spreadsheet will automatically download). This document also contains a tab listing the counties that are ‘member’ counties (meaning that they are in good standing and have paid their 2022 public lands dues) and a list of ‘non-member’ counties.

We will also solicit feedback on the public lands operations document. This document has been spruced up since its 2009 version in two areas: 1.) use of consistent terms and 2.) updated travel logistics and responsibilities to reflect current practice (page 2).

Please join us on November 16th to vote on the 2023 budget and help ensure we’ve got the budget we need to support the important public lands advocacy work you do at the federal level.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83004275318?pwd=VkFDSnRKdWZWdk9weGlwYTVDTEVIQT09

Meeting ID: 830 0427 5318
Passcode: 998056

More than half of all ransomware attacks target counties and municipalities. Why? Because they are usually easy targets for hackers. The “Whole of State” model helps governmental entities to leverage their combined resources to increase the availability of their cybersecurity resources and facilitate the sharing of information. However, the model is not exclusive only to government entities, in fact, “Whole of State” model can include local and federal governments, the private sector, and educational institutions. We call this strategy the “Whole-of-State” approach to cybersecurity. As government entities face a near-constant barrage of ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, election hacking and other cyber threats, the “Whole-of-State” is key for increasing our security posture.

This tactic breaks down the organizational walls while enabling real-time, cross-jurisdictional collaboration and partnerships across the entire state to improve the cybersecurity posture of all stakeholders, including these targeted entities. During a recent interview I was asked: “are you worried?” Yes, I answered, we are always on guard because in the world of cybersecurity – it is not a matter of “if” but “when” entities will come under attack from hackers. I personally love a quote from a colleague of mine:  “In state and local cybersecurity, we’re expected to hold off national militaries with unlimited resources from around the world — all day, every day.” And ironically, we are supposed to do this with limited resources. And when resources are limited, creativity plays a crucial role.

As the newly appointed Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Colorado, I realized I was not appointed to keep things running, I was appointed to break the status quo and transform how the State approaches cybersecurity.  And that process began by evaluating the current security posture for the State and realizing the need for a “Whole of State” approach going forward.

Ray Yepes, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Security
Tel. 832-465-2377
ray.yepes@state.co.us  |  www.colorado.gov/oit

Colorado Waste Diversion Grant: Building Opportunities to Maximize Waste Diversion and Create Jobs in Colorado 

The purpose of the upcoming Request for Applications (RFA) is to fund projects, sustainable beyond the grant period that will enhance the financial viability of recycling, composting, reuse, repurposing, and waste reduction in Colorado and will create new jobs in the state. Preventing waste before it is created is the most effective reduction method (reduce), followed by reuse, and recycle. In addition to waste diversion projects, the RFA will encourage applications with a focus on reducing contamination. This is the 15th funding cycle for this RFA.

The RFA is expected to be available on November 7, 2022, with applications due on January 5, 2023. Projects are anticipated to begin on July 1, 2023. 

Please email cdphe.ppp2@state.co.us with any questions prior to November 7th. Questions submitted after November 7th will be part of the formal questions & answers process.

Below is the link to the Ag Commission’s Farm Bill and Federal Priorities document that will guide CDA’s engagement on the upcoming Farm Bill. It is intended to be a living document that will be periodically updated by the Commission as new issues arise or their thinking on an issue evolves.

Ag Commission Farm Bill and Federal Priorities